From Conference

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Blessings of Scripture,” Ensign, May 2010, 34.

Today’s Prophets & Apostles Crossword

Figure out which clues go with each of the members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; use their last names to complete the crossword puzzle. As you do you’ll get to know a little more about these special witnesses of the Savior.

Temple Service

What started out as a simple conversation about temple work and a desire to see the different temples in the area turned into a full-scale youth conference for the young men and women of the Salt Lake Valley First Ward (Deaf). They decided not only to visit but also to perform baptisms for the dead at several temples in their area.

Over the summer, the youth were able to do work for 1,196 souls; many of them were names provided by ward members or even family names the youth had researched. “Every time you visit the temple you can feel the Spirit,” said Austin Duran, 14. “As you visit the temple more, your spirit becomes stronger and you become attached to the temple and want to go all of the time.”

Many of the youth have gained a new perspective on the importance of the temple as a result of their temple service youth conference. “I have a new standard,” explained Riley Case, 13. “Now every time I think of something I should or shouldn’t do, I decide if that will help me go to the temple or not.”

The Church in USA—Alabama

The experience of missionary John Brown in Alabama is typical of other early missionaries for the Church. Local community members assumed the 17-year-old in ragged clothing was a simple cotton picker. They gathered to hear him speak one day in 1843, expecting entertainment by mocking the young preacher. After he began, however, the crowd members silenced and “were as motionless as statues of marble.” Brown was well treated afterward.

In early 1844, there were approximately 120 members of the Church in Alabama. Three months later, in areas including Mississippi, there were about 190 members. Early converts were often baptized in the Alabama River.

Here are a few facts about the Church today in Alabama:

Membership

34,357

Missions

1

Temples

1

Wards & Branches

73

Family History Centers

35

By the Numbers

Editor’s note: This number was sent in by Nathan G. from Texas. As he recently read the Book of Mormon, Nathan underlined each reference to Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. He sent us a detailed, eight-page spreadsheet of all his research. Thanks, Nathan.

Over 500 Books

Amber Martin and Kortney Kline are closer to earning their Young Women Personal Progress Award after organizing all the youth in the Valley Forge Pennsylvania Stake to donate their reading books to an inner-city school in Philadelphia. A stake youth dance was held and the “admission fee” was to bring some books. Amber and Kortney managed to collect over 500 books. These two young women said it was an awesome experience to give youth in their stake an opportunity to donate books to students in need.

My Favorite Scripture

1 Samuel 16:7 This Old Testament scripture mastery verse touches me because it tells me that the Lord cares about who we are—not about how naturally gifted we are but whether we’re trying and our hearts are in the right place.

Brian C., 18, Massachusetts, USA

Tell us about your favorite scripture in one or two sentences. Go to newera.lds.org and click on Submit Your Material.